2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally: 480bhp off-road special to enter production
The all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV has been given a rally-inspired makeover, and it’ll reach showrooms next year
Following a preview at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Ford has unveiled the Mustang Mach-E Rally in full at the 2023 Munich Auto Show. Building on the range-topping Mach-E GT, the model receives numerous rally-inspired tweaks to help it perform on both tarmac and loose surfaces. Pricing and UK availability are yet to be announced, but order books will open in 2024 with first cars hitting the road not long after.
As with the ordinary Mach-E GT, a 98.7kWh (91 kWh usable) battery pack powers a pair of motors mounted front and rear. Thanks to a minor powertrain tweak, torque is now up 15lb ft to ‘at least’ 649lb ft, with power identical to the GT at 480bhp. Performance figures haven’t been disclosed just yet, but expect similar numbers to the GT’s 3.7sec 0-62mph time and 124mph top speed.
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Beyond straight-line performance, a new ‘RallySport’ drive mode is said to improve off-road driving dynamics, tuning ESC systems to allow for bigger slides on loose surfaces, improved throttle response and tighter damping. Ford says this drive mode also improves performance in snow and slick on-road conditions, making it more useful day-to-day than it might first appear.
For extra ground clearance, ride height is increased by 20mm over the GT, with newly tuned springs and adaptive MagneRide shock absorbers also equipped. Behind white 19-inch rally-inspired wheels are 385mm front brake discs, with chunky 235-section Michelin CrossClimate2 tyres bringing more sidewall and loose surface traction to the equation.
To shrug off knocks and scrapes, Ford has fitted protective underside shielding for both motors, with a paint protection film also applied to the doors and wheel arches. Mud flaps are available as a dealer-fit option too, and all examples come fitted with a front-end towing point to make recovery that little bit easier should you push too far…
Save for a new grille insert with dual rally-style fog lights and an aggressive roof-mounted spoiler, the Rally’s exterior design is mostly the same as the GT’s. To set it apart, though, its arches now come in a contrasting colour to the main body for a more rugged aesthetic, with standard stripes and Mach-E Rally decals helping it stand out on the road.
Inside, the Mach-E’s portrait infotainment display remains, with gloss white inserts on the dashboard, steering wheel and doors distinguishing it from the standard car. Each example will also come with the same performance seats as the GT, albeit with a gloss white seatback and embossed headrests.
UK pricing and availability are still under wraps, but the Mach-E Rally will be available to order in 2024.
